The Scouse La Masia is trending after Liverpool beat Ajax.
Jurgen Klopp picked three Academy graduates for the crucial clash against the Amsterdam giants on Tuesday night as the Reds won 1-0.
Curtis Jones scored following a cross from Neco Williams, while goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher kept a clean sheet on his Champions League debut.
And for good measure, Rhys Williams came on as a late substitute as he replaced Mohamed Salah – while Liverpool also had Jake Cain, Leighton Clarkson and Vitezslav Jaros on the bench.
While Cain, Clarkson and Jaros made up the numbers, we’ve consistently seen Williams and Jones take to the field as they try to make their first steps on their path to professional football.
Kelleher was the surprise selection but he did really well as Liverpool fans praised the impact those three Academy graduates had. There were even comparisons between La Masia, the famous Barcelona talent factory, and Liverpool’s operations.
Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t start but he’s another star that’s come through the youth system while Nat Phillips has also made his Premier League debut this season.
Klopp is showing that he can combine the demands of winning at the highest level with the desire of the fans to bring through local players that can supplement the squad.
Curtis Jones goal, Neco assist & Kelleher clean sheet? La Masia come outside
— 🥤 (@TheImmortalKop) December 1, 2020
The German has already taken the brave decision to trust Neco Williams as the reserve right-back, while Rhys Williams has stepped up to a first-team level far sooner than anyone thought was possible.
Jones has always had talent but it still takes some patience to bring the teenager through the system and into the first team. His goal might have been a close-range finish, but Jones still had to show the desire to get into the box and find a goal-scoring position for himself.
These are early days but if Jones, Williams and Kelleher can continue to produce, La Masia is going to belong to Liverpool.